There are several key positions within a purchasing department and they
each have their own purchasing job description. The main members of
staff are the Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Clerks and Administrative
Assistants.
The person that generally runs the purchasing department is called the Purchasing Manager – sometimes in larger companies they may be deemed an executive e.g. Director, VP, or Chief Procurement Officer (CPO). Their purchasing job description is strategic in nature and usually includes the following:
Undertaking the normal day to day work are the Purchasing Clerks. The purchasing job description of clerks is mainly tactical and would be something like this:
The Administrative Assistant undertakes the more basic work within the Purchasing Department and their purchasing job description would be:
You may also see a purchasing job description for a Purchasing Agent. These are the staff who buy the raw materials that a company needs to maintain its operations. They also buy the contract services that are needed to maintain the company buildings and operations. These would be services such as plant maintenance and cleaning.
Purchasing Agents are more likely to be found in large manufacturing companies and government offices as well as institutions such as hospitals and schools. They, like the purchasing officer, are charged with ensuring that the best use of the businesses’ money is made and that not too much money is tied up in stock and supplies.
As you can see there are three main roles in a purchasing department and one exceptional one that can be found in more institutional companies. Whichever purchasing job description you choose for yourself, you will be making a great contribution to the profits of the company.
Return to Purchasing Management
Return to Purchasing Procurement Center Homepage